Endorsement: Novak best choice in GOP primary for Macomb County executive

July 13, 2014

David Novak

By The Detroit Free Press Editorial Board

The Free Press is endorsing candidate DAVID NOVAK in the Republican primary for Macomb County executive. But this endorsement isnít so much a testament to Novakís abilities as a recognition that heís the best candidate in a limited field.

Novak faces fellow Republicans Randell Shafer and Erin Stahl in the Aug. 5 primary; the top vote-getter in that election will face incumbent Mark Hackel, the countyís first executive, in the November general election.

Itís unlikely that any of the GOP contenders will best Hackel, who has proved a capable leader during his tenure in office.

But hereís the problem: Thereís no certainty in elections. Anything could happen ó and any of the three ill-prepared GOP candidates could land at the helm of the stateís third-largest county.

Macomb County voters approved a new charter in 2009, endorsing a switch to county executive and a smaller board of commissioners, rather than a larger board, headed by a chairperson. An executive at the helm, the thinking went, would boost economic development efforts, offering companies a single deal-maker to approach. Electing an executive would also put Macomb County leadership on an equal footing with Wayne and Oakland counties, allowing the smaller ó but growing ó county an equal seat at the regional table.

Thatís all true, as long as the executive is qualified for the job. Itís true that Hackel will be tough to beat, and that itís difficult to enlist good candidates in a race that is likely a lost cause. But itís also true that the fractious Macomb County Republican Party is ill-equipped to do the work of recruiting and grooming viable countywide candidates. That has to change if the county wants to maintain or increase its political clout.

Novak is a veteran with a wide range of business experience, and his concern for Macomb Countyís future is sincere. But during an interview with the Free Press Editorial Board, Novak lacked basic information about key county and regional issues, such as a bond sale pitched by Hackel to generate money for the countyís retiree health care plan, which is underfunded by about $270 million.

Novak said he didnít know enough about the proposal to say whether itís a good idea. But the proposed deal has been widely reported on by the news media, and thereís no shortage of information on underfunded retiree health care ó a major liability in Detroitís municipal bankruptcy case, and a problem for local governments across the state.

Likewise, Novak said he didnít know enough to offer an opinion on a proposed plan to create a tri-county water authority to assume the responsibilities of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, a contentious and well-publicized negotiation between Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.

Should Novak win the seat he aspires to, heíll have to remedy these deficits posthaste ó and hiring strong support staff will be absolutely essential.

Despite these shortcomings, Novak is clearly superior to the other candidates.

Shafer became known to folks outside Macomb County politics after a truly bizarre Facebook conversation earlier this year supporting anti-gay and anti-Muslim statements made by former lawmaker and current Republican National Committee member Dave Agema. Shafer sparred with other Macomb County Republicans, most of whom disavowed Agemaís extremist messaging in a rambling and sometimes nonsensical thread.

Stahl is unqualified for public office, lacking a grasp of even the basic structure of county government, tax policy or county operations.

Macomb Countyís momentum is strong, with a growing population, and a stronger voice at the regional table. Itís crucial that the countyís next executive advance, not hinder, the countyís progress.